In the 1830s workers paved Queen Street with planks. It became a toll road. Stage coaches and travelers had to stop at a toll booth where the Duke of York is now. Like service centres on today’s expressways, entrepreneurs came to serve travelers who needed to water and feed their horses in stables and replace lost horse shoes in blacksmith shops.
Wayfarers also rested, fed and watered themselves. By 1852, the village boasted three hotels, a blacksmith shop, and several general stores. When George Leslie, owner of Canada’s largest tree nursery, took over the Post Office and general store, Leslieville was born.
As Toronto’s population exploded in the 1850s, farmers subdivided their fields into small lots. Here, market gardeners grew fruit and vegetables to feed the city. Meanwhile others found clay deposits and turned out bricks to build Toronto.
Drovers herded cattle, sheep and hogs along the road from the surrounding countryside. After they reached the tollgate, they turned their weary, hungry animals loose on the grass along Ashbridges Bay to fatten and Leslieville’s butchers supplied steaks, chops, sausages, bacon, etc. to feed “Hogtown”.
Abattoirs, nurseries, and brickyards became Leslieville’s major employers. Others cut ice and fished on Ashbridge’s Bay. Small shops provided necessities from sewing needles to shoes.
Soon professionals such as doctors and pharmacists came to care for the body and clergymen to care for the soul. And so Leslieville grew until in 1884 it became part of the City of Toronto and large industries began to locate in “the East End.”
Tap the images to read our history.
In the 1830s workers paved Queen Street with planks. It became a toll road. Stage coaches and travelers had to stop at a toll booth where the Duke of York is now. Like service centres on today’s expressways, entrepreneurs came to serve travelers who needed to water and feed their horses in stables and replace lost horse shoes in blacksmith shops.
Wayfarers also rested, fed and watered themselves. By 1852, the village boasted three hotels, a blacksmith shop, and several general stores. When George Leslie, owner of Canada’s largest tree nursery, took over the Post Office and general store, Leslieville was born.
As Toronto’s population exploded in the 1850s, farmers subdivided their fields into small lots. Here, market gardeners grew fruit and vegetables to feed the city. Meanwhile others found clay deposits and turned out bricks to build Toronto.
Drovers herded cattle, sheep and hogs along the road from the surrounding countryside. After they reached the tollgate, they turned their weary, hungry animals loose on the grass along Ashbridges Bay to fatten and Leslieville’s butchers supplied steaks, chops, sausages, bacon, etc. to feed “Hogtown”.
Abattoirs, nurseries, and brickyards became Leslieville’s major employers. Others cut ice and fished on Ashbridge’s Bay. Small shops provided necessities from sewing needles to shoes.
Soon professionals such as doctors and pharmacists came to care for the body and clergymen to care for the soul. And so Leslieville grew until in 1884 it became part of the City of Toronto and large industries began to locate in “the East End.”
The Board meets monthly. All are welcome to attend and observe. Check in here to see the minutes.
July
2019
June
2019
May
2019
April
2019
March
2019
February
2019
January - no mtg
2019
December
2018
November
2018
October - no mtg
2018
September
2018
August - no mtg
2018
July
2018
June
2018
May
2018
April
2018
March
2018
February
2018
Annual General Meeting
2018
January
2018
October
2017
May
2017
April
2017
March - no mtg
2017
February
2017
Annual General Meeting
2017
January
2017
December
2016
November
2016
October
2016
September
2016
August - no mtg
2016
July
2016
June
2016
May
2016
April
2016
March
2016
February - no mtg
2016
Annual General Meeting
2016
January
2016
December
2015
November
2015
October
2015
September
2015
August - no mtg
2015
July
2015
June
2015
May
2015
April
2015
March - no mtg
2015
February
2015
Annual General Meeting
2015
Chairman of the Board, since 2019
I am the director and operator of a charming and beautiful venue called The Vandenberg House, established in 2015. We provide event space for personal and corporate events. Living in Leslieville since 2008 has given me some insight and first hand experience with our ever changing, unique neighbourhood. As soon as I opened my venue, I joined the BIA as a board member to support our neighbourhood and Leslieville BIA members with a positive and creative attitude. Our diverse, friendly and small town feel is unique to Toronto and felt throughout our neighbourhood. I love our area and look forward to working with others to grow our Leslieville vision.
I am a Certified General Accountant in public practice who works in a family business that has been part of the community in Leslieville for many years. I have experience in taxation, book keeping, and financial statements. As part of the board, I hope to encourage the business to work together to create a better sense of community. I use my expertise to sit on the board as a treasurer on Leslieville. With this in mind, I represent Leslieville as a director on the Toronto Association of Business Improvement Areas.
Brad is a resident, commercial landlord, and business owner in Leslieville and has been involved with the Leslieville BIA since its inception. For the past 25 years he has owned and managed a construction company based in Etobicoke. In his personal life Brad volunteers his time assisting various community and non-profit groups and is very active in the business and cultural communities of Leslieville.
Executive Board Member since 2021
Executive Board Member since 2019
After completing an honours degree at McGill and a year of travels in Japan, John attended the French Culinary Institute in NYC and went on to work at the venerable La Caravelle. He then moved on to Craft, Tom Colicchio's flagship, where over the course of almost two years John learned the successful business practices and incessant demand for high quality that won the restaurant the James Beard Award for Best New Restaurant in the United States. Upon John’s return to Toronto, he joined the team at the acclaimed Splendido where, under Chef/Owner David Lee, he helped to develop sophisticated tasting menus and was proud to be a part of one of Toronto’s best kitchens.
In 2011, John and Erik opened Ascari Enoteca, an Italian wine and pasta bar where there is a focus on “off the beaten path” wines as well as Italian classics. Handmade pasta and inventive shared dishes rule the menu. This was closely followed by the birth of Hi-Lo Bar, a fun neighbourhood rock-and-roll bar featuring great beers, cocktails and snacks, and good times.
Ward 14 Councillor
“Hey Paula, what do you love about Leslieville?”
I love the rich cultural heritage that Leslieville brings to the City of Toronto. With its origins as an early agricultural tree farm and its role as an industrial centre for the east end, Leslieville has played an important role in Toronto’s history. Thanks to the longstanding support for creative industries, Leslieville has a vibrant arts and culture community. Leslievillers came together to fight against big box retail in the neighbourhood and defend the small business community that thrives on Queen St. East and continue to shop local in this great neighbourhood.
Paula’s BIO – in case you didn’t already know!
In 2003 Paula was elected to City Council first for Ward 30 Toronto-Danforth, now Ward 14, and has been advocating for the Area for 15 years. Paula works with residents, business owners and community agencies to build vibrant, healthy neighbourhoods, and is a strong voice at City Hall defending the services residents and businesses expect from their City. Paula has served many capacities in her role as City Councillor. Please refer to Paula's website for the Councillor's latest updates, news and views.